Image Credit: Tk'emlups te Secwepemc

By Dylana Kneeshaw

ORANGE SHIRT DAY

Tk’emlúps hosting intimate event to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Sep 29, 2022 | 4:19 PM

TK’EMLUPS te SECWEPEMC — Friday (Sept. 30) is Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, with events and ceremonies planned around the country. Compared to the large gathering held in 2021, this year Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is hosting a smaller scale event.

Friday afternoon, Tk’emlúps will be holding an intimate, community gathering to present a plaque to family member of the late Ken Jensen — who was instrumental in the creation of the Kamloops Indian Residential School monument which now stands in front of the former institution.

The memorial structure honouring those who attended the residential school became a frequent point of visitation for people following the band’s announcement around the ground-penetrating radar detection of unmarked graves around the grounds.

Acting Kúkpi7 (Chief) / Tkwenem7íple7 (Councillor) Nikki Fraser says the community has been running non-stop for quite a while – between hosting national and international visitors for memorial events, responding to wildfires and flooding related evacuations, and managing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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Last year, Tk’emlúps hosted a monumental event at the Powwow Arbour to mark the country’s first ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and opted for an alternative reflection event this year.

“This time around we just kind of wanted to keep it very low key but also meaningful. And meaningful in a sense of it’s very intimate,” Fraser explains. “It’s community gathering together — and community meaning whoever is available can come and be with us, and stand with us, and stand with our survivors.”

In a broader sense, Fraser encourages residents to learn more about the residential school system impacts, familiarize themselves with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, and learn what sort of actions still need to be taken to improve Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples.

“I think reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day is much more than just #orangeshirt or #wearingorangeshirt or #truthandreconciliation. I think there needs to be much more action than just social media fronting,” reiterates Fraser. “That’s all I would like, is to continue the message to teach yourself and teach others.”

Friday’s event begins at 2:00 p.m from the monument located in front of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School building.

Those who want to visit the memorial throughout the day to pay their respects are welcome to do so, but are reminded that viewing access to the nearby sacred site is not open for public access, and photography and drone footage of the sacred site is also prohibited.

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For more information:

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

Support Resources:

• KUU-US Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717
• Tsow-Tun-Le Lum: 1-866-403-3123
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society Toll-Free Line: 1-800-721-0066
• 24hr National Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419